At its Nov. 20 meeting the Swansea Planning Board voted to send multiple zoning amendments to a Dec. 4 public hearing, including Amendment No. 1 to overhaul the Wetlands Conservation District and Warren Amendments Nos. 2–8.

The Wetlands amendment (Amendment No. 1) as presented would replace Section 7 of the Town of Swansea Zoning Ordinance, revise the definition and permitted uses in the Wetlands Conservation District and adopt a procedure for conditional uses. During discussion the board agreed to add a new conditional-use item explicitly authorizing the removal of trees, stumps and root systems where appropriate; Victoria Ames moved for the amendment and Richard Lane seconded, and the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Members agreed that Amendments 2–8 (Warren articles) were appropriate for a Dec. 4 hearing and expected those items to be relatively brief. Staff will finalize language and prepare public notices for Dec. 4.

The board also discussed scheduling logistics and whether the Wetlands item might require more time at hearing; the board set Dec. 4 for these items and will use the Dec. 18 meeting as an overflow date if needed.